Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-10-27

Academy there was a public exhibition
of PLAYS and orations, and the students
constituted a Thespian Corps that in
tragedy, comedy ::and farce would have
been creditable on any stagelN. Great
public spirit was manifested in the en-
couragement of these exhibitions. The
sword given by the King of Prussia
Frederick the Great to Gen. Washing
ton was always worn by the hero of the
play. Mr. George Steptoe Washington
was one of the trustees of the Academy,
probably President of the Board. He
took very great interest in the exhibi-
tons and l think..was the possessor OF the
sword(D.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
(a). History repeats itself. There is again,
after the lapse of nearly century, another
school for girls across the street from the
Academy. The old building did not stand ex-
actly where the present one does, but was di-
rectly opposite the residence of Mrs. Julia
Kennedy which has itself seen many transfor-
nations since those early days.
Some of us now living and getting to be old
men went to school in the old Academy build
ing which was taken down about forty years
ago. How many of our comrades are dead
Who can tell the location and give a descrip-
ton of the Female Academy of l7992
(5). While write, l have before me the
minutes OF the first meeting of the Board OF
Trustees in 1875. The book contains also the
names of the subscribers to the fund for build
ing the Academy. The first is that Of George
S. Washington, 80 pounds.
(c). The present Academy is also in charge
of Board of Trustees, lineal successors Of
those who founded the institution nearly
century ago.
(d). Boys and girls seem to have been then
very much as they are now, at least in some Of
their ways.
(e). Where was that?
Cf). Where is now the grove?
(g). Is that the church that stood not very
far from the present Academy and was pulled
down some forty years ago when the existing
PRESBYTERIAN Church was built on Main street?
Or. if there was a still older Presbyterian
Church, where was it located?
h). Does he refer to the church Of which
the ruins still stand on the plantation Of Mr.
Henry Davenport? Mr.. d., by the way, is now
President of the Board of Trustees Of the
Academy.
Does any one know when services began in
that venerable old house? Does any one know
when they ceased When was the church
built and under what influences?
"a. Episcopalians will remember daughter
of this old clergyman, Miss Maria Heath, who
for years lived (supported by the church, and
died in little house that stood near the site OF
the present Methodist Parsonage.
Ol. recollect when the Thespian society
gave exhibitions more than forty years ago in
the lower story Of the old Academy. The or
chestra was led by Mr. John S S.Gallaher, Jr.,so
of the late John s. Gallaher. He played very
sweetly on the violin rs did one of his assist
ants. Ned Moore son of Mr.. Cato Moore. There
were other musicians as to whose names ! am
uncertain, though remember well the excel
lence of their music. Was Dutch Miller one
of the fiutsts? Was Pat German one2
If I mistake not, Mr. Geo. Sadler was stage
manager and general director. recollect sec
ing there the play of the stranger, and hear
ing the defamation of
"My name is Noryal,
On the Champion hills my father tends his
hocks," etc, etc
(D. What has been the history of this IA
nous sword since that time? W. PC.